User Experience

by Liz Blanchard

Even when in-person collaboration is not possible, virtual tools and workshops can align a distributed team around an Experience Vision for a product ecosystem. [Read More]

by Russ Blackburn

COVID-19 has resulted in creativity and design tasks moving from in-person communication and collaboration to home offices and dependency upon remote network connections. Common challenges from this shift in work include poor network performance, video problems, and difficulties in sharing and retrieving files. Russ Blackburn discusses these and other issues and how design teams at Red Hat managed through these obstacles by using various online communication and collaboration tools. [Read More]

by Michelle Bence

A review of Writing is Designing. This book describes how content influences user experience and provides best practices around writing content. [Read More]

by Gissoo Doroudian

A UX designer explores the challenges of collaboration between designers and developers and applies these insights in a tool to facilitate their communication. [Read More]

by Soledad Mari

A review of Conversational Design by Erika Hall highlighting how Hall weaves communication principles into a reference guide on how to create effective conversational interfaces. [Read More]

by Megan Torkildson, Alec Scharff, Denise Su, Zuiena Kabir

UX professionals sometimes struggle to communicate assertively at work. We present ideas to put this skill into practice, with examples and suggestions from real life. [Read More]

by Alec Scharff, Megan Torkildson, Denise Su, Zuiena Kabir

Why and how should you communicate assertively in the workplace? Four Googlers provide a framework and ideas on how to step up your communication skills to avoid unwanted behaviors. [Read More]

by Dani Nordin

Learn about the power of experience briefs to keep your project team focused, complete with a template for your own use. [Read More]

by Angela Huenerfauth, David Teller

The Usability Maturity Model (UMM) is used to plan, measure and track the usability growth during product development so teams will know when their products are ready for launch.  [Read More]

by Anne Hjortshøj

In this article, the author shares some lessons the UX field can learn from disciplines such as product management and engineering to help us gain executive buy-in for user-centered design practices. [Read More]

by Mandy Tang Armstrong

While some believe that Agile, UX practices, and remote work are an impossible combination, they may be compatible, if managed thoughtfully. [Read More]

by Shannon McHarg

How remote friendly companies can attract top UX talent by breaking location barriers and increasing productivity and work/life balance. [Read More]

by Carol J. Smith

Successful collaborations start with clear expectations, and to set clear expectations, we need a common language. [Read More]

by Alik Brundrett

The UX application of UI motion design is becoming so important, it’s taking on new terminology of its own—UX choreography. [Read More]

by Torrey Podmajersky, Michelle Larez Mooney

Corporate writers explain six reasons why people read documentation, and how the writer's style of writing changes based the user's need and motivation. [Read More]

by Tema Frank

Experience-based tips for convincing co-workers and clients to accept the idea of user testing and to implement the results. [Read More]

by Ori Zmora

Understanding our user's needs, inspiring positivity, being forgiving, respectful, and even humorous can help provide users with a more effective and satisfying interaction. [Read More]

by Anosha Shokrpour, Sin Lee Loh

Global research presents unique logistical and cultural challenges that may conflict with researcher and stakeholder assumptions. Open-mindedness and preparation are key to a successful project. (Full article available in English and Español) [Read More]

by Russell Willerton

When information is Bureaucratic, Unfamiliar, Rights-Oriented, or Critical. In these situations, when people face big issues and important decisions, plain language is a critical part of user experience. [Read More]

by Glenda Watson Hyatt

A visit to the doctor can mean a lack of dignity and confidentiality for patients with speech disabilities because healthcare professionals rarely know how to interact with them. [Read More]

by Joe Bugental

A review of Ambient Commons by Malcolm McCullough. It’s all about paying attention – or not. [Read More]

by Rituparna Bhattacharya

Near Field Communications technology has potential to create great experiences for the visually impaired. This article examines some early forays into NFC leveraged for accessibility. [Read More]

by Ishita Chakraborty, Tanoy Kumar Paul

Touchless communication is becoming more widespread in factory automation and healthcare. More consistent gestures and easier interactions are critical to their acceptance. [Read More]

by Markus Weber

UX training should address the cultural and social aspects of communication in order to create communicators who make a positive impact. [Read More]

by Joe Bugental

This issue's theme of “Communication” bring the experiences of contributors in several international settings to our global community of readers. [Read More]

by Robert Barnett

Daunting as they are to develop, government forms with improved usability save money by reducing the need to contact customers, correct errors, and deal with bad data. [Read More]